Punching machine and structure therefor



g- 1966 A. K. SCHOTT ETAL PUNCHING MACHINE AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 1. 1960 INVENTOR- 427/0? K 56 07 (EM/67% J. fimerx/A (#42455 [as Pova0 W, fine; W ATTORNEY 0, 1966 A. K. scHoTT ETAL PUNCHING MACHINE AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 1. 1960 H 1 l I INVENTOR5 #27402 .scx/o fr /K- 'A/4/72/ J. film/74,4 64/4 4125 Zea Kovomr W avw49 /MM ATTORNEY y Mm 30, 1966 A. K. SCHOTT ETAL 3,269,241

PUNCHING MACHINE AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR Original Filed Nov. 1. 1960 6 SheetsSheet 5 l-J INVENTORS flea/u K 50 77 fi/v/verx/ J 5427 2455 (as Povo07 5y *W ATTORNEY 0, 1966 A. K. SCHOTT ETAL 3,269,241

PUNCHING MACHINE AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR Original Filed Nov. 1. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTQRS Jen/a2 4 50 077 Kev/very 5427,44

Aug. 30, 1966 Original Filed Nov. 1. 1960 A. K. SCHOTT ETAL 3,269,241

PUNCHING MACHINE AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 (A 4x465 Z55 190v.

M 5 a, ATTO EY Aug. 30, 1966 A. K. SCHOTT ETAL 3,

PUNCHING MACHINE AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR Original Filed Nov. 1. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet '6 FIG. 8

INVENTORS Aer/Me K 50/027 C A I 07- 5) $52355. imam United States Patent 3,269,241 PUNCIHNG MACHINE AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR Arthur K. S ch0tt, Clarence, Kenneth J. Bartha, Tonawanda, and Charles Lee Rovoldt, Getzville, N.Y., assignors to Houdaille Industries, Inc., Buflalo, N.Y., a corporation of Michigan Original application Nov. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 66,639, now Patent No. 3,225,636, dated Dec. 28, 1965. Divided and this application Apr. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 449,248

Claims. '(Cl. 83-144) This application is a division of our co-pending application of the same title, U.S. Serial No. 66,639, filed November 1, 1960, now Patent No. 3,225,636, granted December 28, 1965.

This invention relates generally to punching machines, and more specifically to an improved punching machine embodying novel coacting features.

Although the principles of the present invention may be included in various punching machines and devices, a particularly useful application is made in a punching machine of the type that acts on a single workpiece, the workpiece being positioned by either adjustable gaging carried on the machine, or by a template follower, the machine being provided with appropriate punch and die means for effecting punching, notching, and nibbling on the workpiece.

The present invention contemplates the utilization of a workpiece-supporting table which is vertically adjustable with respect to the punch and die means, the'table being provided with gaging structure engageable with adjacent edges of a workpiece and adapted to indicated desired dimensions numerically directly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved punching machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a punching machine embodying numerous novel coacting features, combinations, and sub-combinations thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide gaging structure for accurately positioning the workpiece to be worked on in relation to a predetermined Many other advantages, features, and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a punching machine provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the punching machine of FIGURE 1 with certain parts removed therefrom;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of the sub-table and die taken generally along line IIIIII of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary View taken along line IVIV of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a die and supporting structure therefor taken generally along line VV of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of a pedestal die supported on structure shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged front view, partly in section, taken along line VIIVII of FIGURE 1, and illustrating certain gaging structure;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken .along line VIIIVIII on FIGURE 7;

. FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line IXIX of FIGURE 1; and

lCC

FIGURE 10 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit employed to operate the machine shown in FIG- URE 1.

As shown on the drawings:

' The principles of this invention are particularly useful when embodied in a punching machine such as illustrated in FIGURE 1, generally indicated by the numeral 30. The machine 30 includes a rigid frame 31 of both hollow and C-shaped construction having an upper arm 31a and a lower arm 31b. The lower arm 31b is provided with a pair of bases 32, 32 which support the frame 31 on the floor. Also prominent in FIGURE 1 is a hori- Zontal workpiece-supporting table 33 supported in a manner presently to be described. To the table 33 there is secured adjustable gaging means generally indicated at 34, and to be described in detail later herein. Certain components of the device are covered by an upper shroud 35 and a lower shroud 36, a control panel 37 being secured to the upper arm 31a.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown a front elevational view of the structure of FIGURE 1 wherein the upper shroud 35, the control panel 37, the lower shroud 36, and the gaging 34 have been removed for clarity of illustration. On the lower arm 31b of the frame 31 there is provided a bed 38 on which tooling means such as the die 39 are supported. In alignment with the die 39, there is a punch and stripping assembly generally indicated at 40 which is supported by an upper tool support generally indicated at 41 which is secured to the frame 31 by a pair of clamping mechanisms generally indicated at 42 and 43. It will be noted that the upper tool support 41 comprises a generally U-shaped member or yoke having spaced arms 41a, 41b extending along opposite sides of the tool 40 supported on a b ight 41c which connects the arms 41a and 41b.

Also disposed between the arms 41a and 41b is a ram 44 which is reciprocably driven. A motor shown diagrammatically in the circuit diagram of FIGURE 10 operates continuously through belts to drive a pulley-flywheel assembly 45 which includes an eccentric 46 which continually reciprocates a shaft 47. The continuously reciprocating shaft 47 is selectably connected to the ram 44 by an electrically actuated press clutch 48 which in cludes a solenoid shown schematically in FIGURE 10.

The structural details of the clutch are shown in the copending application of Arthur K. Schott and Charles E. Wilson on a Press Clutch, U.S. Serial No. 825,028, now US. Patent No. 2,979,905.

The workpiece-supporting table 33 is supported on the frame 31 by structure shown in FIGURES 24. Means are provided by which the table 33 may be vertically adjusted and by which the table 33 is locked against any horizontal or angular movement. To this end, a subtable assembly 49 is provided which includes a sub-table 50 which is apertured so that the bed 38 which supports the die 39 is'independent thereof. The sub-table 50 is provided with a pair of generally U-shaped brackets 51, 52 which are welded thereto and which jointly comprise a saddle which rests on suitable bearing surfaces 53a, 53b, and 530. Clamping screws 54 rigidly hold the sub-table assembly 49 in a fixed position with respect to the rigid frame 31. If desired, each of the U-shaped members 51, 52 may be provided with stiffening means 55. Attached to the lower surface of the sub-table 50, there are three suitable pads 56, 57, and 57, to each of which is attached a screw jack assembly 58. The detailed structure of each screw jack is known and forms no part of this invention. The screw jacks 58 each include a shaft 59 secured to the workpiece supporting table 33. Raising and lowering of the table 33 is effected by simultaneous operation of the various screw jacks 58. Each of the screw jacks 58 is connected by appropriate shafting to a sprocket wheel 60. A roller chain 61 connects the sprocket wheels together and to an additional sprocket wheel 62 which is supported on a shaft for corotation with a handle 63. When the jointly driven screw jacks are manually adjusted, operated, or actuated, the position of the table is adjusted vertically. It is thus apparent that the adjustment mechanism also secures and supports the table 33 on the sub-table 49. By manipulation of the handle 63, the table 33 may be made coplanar with the upper surface of the die 39 as shown in FIGURE 1, a position which is particularly advantageous for flat workpieces, and the table 33 may be vertically spaced from the die 39 as shown in FIGURE 2, a position which is particularly advantageous for punching certain channel forms and other non-flat workpieces.

To keep the table 33 in laterally fixed position, to preelude both any lateral displacement and any angular movement about a verticalaxis, there is provided a pair of guide pins 64. Each guide pin 64 is secured to a support ring 65 by a pin 66, the support ring 65 being secured to the table 33 by a screw and pin arrangement. 'Ilhe guide pin 64 is slidably received in a guide bushing 67 which is secured to the sub-table 50 by a similar screw and pin arrangement extending through a pad corresponding to the pad 56. The guide pin 64 is provided with a stop ring 68 of the snap-ring type which limits upward movement or adjustment of the table 33.

One purpose for adjusting the table 33 so that its upper surface is coplanar with the die 39 is to provide adequate support for the workpiece so as to be able to position it accurately and also so as to position it coplanarly with the die 39. In practice, it has been found that some oil will be present quite frequently on the workpiece, a fact which makes picking up the finished workpiece from the table '33 even more difficult than may be expected. By rotation of the crank 63, the table 33 may be lowered slightly independently of the die support means so that the die will act -on the unpunched portion of the workpiece to raise the same from the upper surface of the table 33 to facilitate grasping the same. Thus the table adjusting mechanism comprises selectively actuatable means for effecting relative vertical movement between the tool supported on the bed 38 and the table 33 to space the workpiece upwardly from the table 33 to facilitate grasping and to overcome the holding force of any oil present. Referring now to FIGURE 5, there is shown the structure by which the lower tool or die 39 is supported. The lower tool support or die support comprise components which are rigidly secured to the lower arm 31b of the frame 31. These include the bed generally indicated at 38 which includes a bed pad 6 9 welded to the frame 31 independently of the sub-table 50 which is spaced from the workpiece supporting table 33. To the bed pad 69 there is secured a bed block 70, by a plurality of screws such as 71. The bed block 70 has an upwardly directed circular recess 72 in which is received a cylindrical member 73 which is secured to the bed block 70 by a plurality of screws such as 74. Within the cylindrical member 73, there is slidably supported and received a slidable element 75 which also rests at its lower end on the bed block 70 within the recess 72 as shown. The axial extent -of the sliding element 75 is less than the axial extent of the cylindrical member 73 so that at their upper ends, they jointly define a nest-like tool receiving structure within which the die 39 is supported. To this end, the slidably mounted element or member 75 is normally stationary, but means are provided to selectively reciprocate it. To this end, there is provided a pin 76 which is guided in the bed 38 for reciprocation. A horizontal shaft 77 is rockably guided in the lower arm 31b of the frame 31, and at its inner end is provided with an eccentric or cam 82 by which the pin 76 is selectively reciprocated. To the outer end of the shaft 77 there is provided a handle 78, seen also in FIGURES 1 and 2,-the shaft'having an annular groove 79. A set screw is received in the groove 79 to limit axial movement of the shaft 77. A stop pin 81 is carried by the shaft 77 in fixed alignment with the eccentric or cam end thereof 82 for abutting the set screw 80 at such an angular position that the eccentric 82 can never be positioned in dead center. Actuation of the handle 78 causes the eccentric 82 to raise the pin 76 which acts through the normally stationary member 75 to raise the tool or die 39. Raising the tool has a two-fold purpose. One of these is to facilitate removal of the tool from the nest defined by the upper end of members 73 and 75. A further purpose of this structure is to raise the workpiece from the upper surface of the workpiece supporting table 33, as already described, so that this mechanism constitutes not only a tool lifting means, but a selectively actuatable means for effecting relative vertical movement between the tool support on the bed and the table 33 to space the workpiece upwardly from the table 33. In this instance, as illustrated, there is effected an upward movement of the tool support 'means on the bed.

If the eccentric 82 were left in a raised dead-center position, and forgotten there, subsequent operation of the punching machine would likely damage the tool raising mechanism. Since the stop pin 81 prevents such positioning of the eccentric 82, even if the eccentric is left in a raised position during subsequent punch operation, the force acting on the slidable element or member 75 would merely return the eccentric to the illustrated position without damage to the same. To retain the slidable element 75 within the cylindrical member 173, there is provided a set screw '83 and slot 84 in the members 76 and 75. If desired, a liner 85 may be provided to guide punchings from the die '39.

By detaching the screws such as 74, shown in FIG- URE 5, the cylindrical member 73 and the slidable element 75 may be removed from the recess 72 of the bed lock 70. In place thereof, as shown in FIGURE 6, there may be provided an upwardly extending rigid pedestal 126 which has a lower portion corresponding to the lower part of the cylindrical member 73 which fits in the same manner in the recess 72. Similarly, a keyway 86a receives the key 87 to provide angular orientation for use of shaped dies. Also shown in FIGURE 6 is a pedestal die 127 arranged to discharge slugs laterally from a shaped opening of T-shaped configuration. The die 127 is provided with a pair of horizontally directed keyways 128, 128, and the upper face of the pedestal 126 is provided with a keyway 129 adapted to receive a key 130 at either end thereof for selectively registering with one of the keyways 128. The key 130 is held in a locked position by a screw 131. It is thus apparent that the die 127 may be angularly locked in any one of four positions. The die 127 may be replaced by other pedestal dies during operation of the device. Preferably, the pedestal 126 includes an axial aperture so that a die locking screw 132 may be employed when desired, as shown.

By use of a pedestal die support 126 and pedestal die 127, the punching machine 30 may be adapted to perforate channels and other formed workpieces. Thus the workpiece supporting table 33 may be lowered to a point where it would engage the top of the screw 88, thereby causing the die 127 to project a substantial distance from the workpiece supporting surface.

It is apparent that any punch and stripping assembly may be employed with an appropriately shaped punch bit to cooperate with the structure of FIGURE 6. However, the-structure of FIGURE 6 is particularly advantageous with dies having a relatively small cutting aperture.

The gaging mechanism 34 with respect to which the disclosed punch and die means are accurately located, is shown in perspective in FIGURE 1. The gaging means 34. are secured directly to the workpiece supporting table 33, and have a number of reference surfaces against which workpieces and gage components engage. The gaging means 34 also includes structure for directly numerically indicating the distance from these reference surfaces to the center line of the punch and die support means, such as 186, 195, and 178, 179.

More specifically, the gaging means 34 includes a pair of spaced side rail bars 172, 173 which are fixedly secured to the table 33 at opposite sides thereof in a parallel relation to each other. A rack-like member 174 is also supported on the table 33 in parallel relation to the side rail bar 172, and in a preferred embodiment, includes an elongated threaded portion comprising the major central portion thereof, supported for rotation in end bearing portions adjacent to the side rail bar 172.

An elongated rigid means or gage bar assembly 175 is slidably supported by slide blocks 176 rigidly secured thereto at its ends, on the side rail bars 172, 173, the gage bar assembly 175 extending transversely, namely perpendicularly to, the side rail bars 172, 173. The gage bar assembly 175 is disposed on the upper surface of the table 33. The gage bar assembly 175 is provided with a number of stops which are slidably adjustably supported thereon. The left slide block 176 supports a mechanism generally indicated at 177 for engaging the threaded portion of the member 174. The left slide block 176 also supports a counter mechanism indicated at 178. On the forward end of the member 174 there is a calibrated knob assembly gene-rally indicated at 179.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, certain portions of the gaging means are shown in greater detail.

The back rail bar 183 also slidably supports a template follower mechanism 253, and a selective reciprocation of the follower mechanism 253 effects a fore and aft movement of the reference surface on the rigid base 182. The follower mechanism 253 is adapted to overlie a template 254 shown fragmentarily in FIGURE 1 and in enlarged cross-section in FIGURE 9, and to engage the workpiece in a manner to effect joint movement therebetween. The workpiece supporting table 33 is slightly undercut adjacent to the punch and die means for receiving such a template in substantially coplanar relation with the rest of the work piece supporting table 33 so that the workpiece can also for certain positions overlie the template 254. I The template 254 is located by means of guide buttons 255 and is held securely against the table 33 by a sheet of pressure sensitive tape 256 having a first pressure sensitive coating 257 in engagement with the upper surface of the table 33, and a second pressure sensitive coating 258 in engagement with the lower surface of the template 254. We have found that this type of template attachment is particularly advantageous since there is thus no obstruction provided to free movement of the template follower mechanism 253 or workpiece driven thereby, as has been true in the past with various types of overlapping clamping means employed. We have also found that this mode of attaching the template 254 is extremely reliable and rigidly locates the template in a truly fixed position.

Referring now to FIGURE 10, the operation of the punching machine will be described. A three phase line 259 leads through a master switch 260 and fuses 261 through certain contacts of a motor starter 262 and a thermal overload means 263 to a motor 264 which continuously drives the flywheel-pulley 45. A transformer 265 provides lower voltage for the control circuits.

By manual operation of a start switch 266, the circuit is completed to the coil of the motor starter 262, said circuit including thermal overload contacts 267 and a manual stop switch 268. Completion of the circuit to the coil of the motor starter 262 closes the various contacts thereof which includes a holding contact connected across the starting switch 266. Therefore, any subsequent actuation of the stop switch 268 breaks the circuit to the motor starter 262 to stop the motor 264. For convenience, a power outlet 269 is connected across the secondary of the transformer 265 to energize other accessories, not shown.

Power from the transformer 265 is also directed to a first selector switch 270 which has two positions. In the illustrated position, the selector switch 270 directs power toward a foot switch 271, and in its other position, the selector switch 270 directs power to a switch 272 which forms a part of the template follower mechanism 253. The other side of the switches 271 and 272 are directed to a second selector switch 273. In the illustrated position of the switch 273, it connects the switches 271 and 272 in series with a circuit branch employing two relays and two switches by which single strokes of the ram are effected. In its other position, the selector switch 273 is connected to another circuit branch by which continuous reciprocation of the ram is effected. A mentioned previously, the ram is connected by an electrically actuated clutch to the reciprocating mechanism, the electrically actuated clutch including a solenoid or coil 274. The switches 171, 171 which are responsive to the position of the clamping mechanisms 42, 43, and which are closed as shown when the clamping mechanisms are in a clamped position, are connected in series with the solenoid 274 so that if either clamping mechanism be even partially loosened, the solenoid 274 cannot be energized. Thus it is apparent that if the selector switch 273 be positioned in its other position, and the actuating switch 271 be closed, power will flow continuously through the solenoid 274, so long as the actuating switch 271 is held in a closed position. This is a condition which is particularly advantageous for nibbling operations. It is to be noted that the power for the solenoid passes through the holding contact of the motor starter 262 so that any time that the stop switch 268 is actuated, not only does the motor 264 become de-energized, but also the solenoid 274 is rendered inoperative. Of course, changing the position of any one of switches 270, 271, 273, or 171 also instantly de-energizes the solenoid 274 of the clutch 48.

When the selector switch 273 is in the illustrated position, the solenoid 274 may also be energized through contacts of a control relay 275 which are connected between the holding contact of the motor starter 262 and the solenoid 274. To energize the coil of the control relay 275, the actuator switch, such as 271, is closed, thereby bringing potential to opposite sides of a limit switch 276, also shown in FIGURE 2, which is disposed to be momentarily operated once for each revolution of the flywheel 45. The limit switch 276 is normally open, and when it is momentarily actuated, it completes the circuit to the coil of the control relay 275, thus also closing a holding circuit 277 which bypasses the selector and actuating switches as well as the limit switch 276. Thus the circuit to the solenoid 274 is also closed.

It will be noted that the circuit to the coil of the control relay 275 includes normally closed contacts of a second control relay 278, and the opening of these contacts is utilized to ale-energize the holding circuit of the control relay 275, to thereby de-energize the solenoid 274. The control relay 278 includes a coil connected in series with a second limit switch 279. Further rotation of the flywheel closes the limit switch 279 to bring power through the then closed holding contacts of the control relay 275 to the coil of the control relay 278, thereby opening the normally closed contacts in the coil circuit of the control relay 275 and also closing holding contacts of the control relay 278 which are energized through the actuator switches, such as 271. Release of the foot switch 271 thus breaks the holding circuit to the control relay 278 to place it in position for initiation of a second single stroke of the ram.

It is thus apparent that the control circuit provided will regulate the operation of the clutch solenoid 274, and that by proper manipulation thereof, continuous reciprocation of the ram will be provided for a selected period of time, and also single strokes of the ram will be provided even though the actuator switch 271 or 272 is held continuously in a closed position.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

We claim as our invention:

1. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed; an upper tool support secured in a fixed stationary position to said frame and adapted to slidably support a separate upper tool below and in alignment with the ram; means on the bed adapted to support a separate lower tool for cooperation with the upper tool; a horizontally directed table encircling said tool support means on said bed and disposed to directly support a workpiece with the lower face of the workpiece normally in substantially coplanar relation with the upper face of the lower tool; said tool supporting means on said bed being operative to support its tool with the upper end of the tool substantially flush with the upper surface of said table; and manually actuatable means carried by said bed and normally disposed in a position out of any supporting relation to said tool support means on said bed, for effecting a relative vertical movement between said lower tool support means and said table in such direction that the workpiece may thereby be spaced upwardly from said table, said manually actuatable means including a handle extending to one accessible side of the machine below the upper surface of said table to enable actuation thereof with the workpiece overlying any portion of said table.

2. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having means adapted to support and to reciprocate punch and die means relatively to each other; a horizontally directed table disposed to directly support a Workpiece adjacent to one of the punch and die means; a subtable rigidly secured to said frame; a plurality of adjustable jacks connecting said table to said sub-table and providing vertical support for said table; a plurality of guide pins interconnecting said table and said sub-table and acting to preclude horizontal movement of said table; and a manually operable mechanism interconnecting said jacks for vertically adjusting them simultaneously, said manually operable mechanism including a handle extending to one accessible side of the machine below said tube to enable manipulation thereof with the workpiece overlying any portion of said table.

3. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed; an upper tool support secured to said frame in a fixed stationary position, said upper tool support having means and said bed having an upwardly extending rigid pedestal for supporting relatively reciprocable cooperating punch and die tools; a horizontally directed table disposed to directly support a workpiece between said bed and said ram; and manually adjustable means connecting said table to said frame and adapted to position said table at a selected height in relation to said punch and die tools in response to actuation of said adjustable means and to position said table to various workpiece supporting positions vertically spaced a selected amount from the upper surface of the lower of the tools, said manually adjustable means including a handle extending to one accessible side of the machine below said table to enable manipulation thereof with the workpiece overlying any portion of said table.

4. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed; an upper tool support secured to said frame; said upper tool support and said bed having means for supporting relatively reciprocable cooperating tools, comprising punch and die means, between said ram and said bed; a horizontally directed table disposed to support a workpiece with the lower face thereof 'in substantially coplanar relation with the upper face of the tool supported by said bed; and selectively actuatable means, normally disposed in a position out of any supporting relation to said tool support means on said bed, for effecting an upward movement of said tool supporting means on said bed for spacing the workpiece upwardly from said table, said tool supporting means on said bed being stationary during a punching operation.

5. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed; an upper tool support secured to said frame; said upper tool support and said bed having means for supporting relatively reciprocable cooperating tools comprising separate punch and separate die means, between said ram and said bed, said tool supporting means on said bed being operative to support its tool substantially flush with the upper face of said bed; and selectively actuatable means, normally disposed in a position out of any supporting relation to said tool support means on said bed,

for effecting an upward movement of said tool supporting means on said bed by which its tool is elevated above the upper face of said bed to facilitate manual grasping thereof, said tool supporting means on said bed being stationary during a punching operation.

6. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed; an upper tool support secured to said frame; said upper tool support and said bed having means for supporting relatively reciprocable cooperating tools comprising punch and die means, between said ram and said bed; one of said tools being normally stationary; said tool supporting means on said bed comprising a nest-like toolreceiving structure including a slidably mounted normally stationary member on which the normally stationary tool rests; and a cam-actuated pin guided for reciprocation in said bed and normally disposed out of any supporting relation to said normally stationary member and engageable with said normally stationary member to effect sliding thereof for removing the tool from said nest-like structure.

7. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed for reciprocating an upper tool; means on the bed adapted to support a separate lower tool for cooperation with the upper tool; a horizontally directed table encircling said tool support means on said bed and disposed to directly support a workpiece with the lower face of the workpiece normally in substantially coplanar relation with the upper face of the lower tool; said tool supporting means on said bed being operative to support its tool with the upper end of the tool substantially flush with the upper surface of said table; and manually actuatable means carried by said bed and normally disposed in a position out of any supporting relation to said tool support means on said bed, for effecting a relative vertical movement between said lower tool support means and said table in such direction that the workpiece may thereby be spaced upwardly from said table, said manually actuatable means including a handle extending to one accessible side of the machine below the upper surface of said table to enable actuation thereof with the workpiece overlying any portion of said table.

8. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed for reciprocating a punch tool; an upwardly extending rigid pedestal fixedly carried by said bed for supporting a die tool; a horizontally directed table disposed to directly support a workpiece between said bed and said ram; and manually adjustable means connecting said table to said frame and adapted to position said table at a selected height in relation to said punch and die tools in response to actuation of said adjustable means and to position said table to various workpiece supporting positions vertically spaced '2. selected amount from the upper surface of the die tool, said manually adjustable means including a handle extending to one accessible side of the machine below said table to enable manipulation thereof with the workpiece overlying any portion of said table.

9. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed; an upper tool support secured in a fixed position to said frame and adapted to slidably support a separate upper tool in alignment with the ram; means on the bed adapted to support a separate lower tool for cooperation with the upper tool; a horizontally directed table encircling said tool support means on said bed and disposed to directly support a workpiece with the lower face of the workpiece normally in substantially coplanar relation with the upper face of the lower tool; said tool supporting means on said bed being operative to support its tool with the upper end of the tool substantially flush with the upper surface of said table; manually actuatable means carried by said bed and normally disposed in a position out of any supporting relation to said tool support means on said bed, for effecting a relative vertical movement between said lower tool support means and said table in such direction that the workpiece may thereby be spaced upwardly from said table; a second table for supporting a template; and a layer of pressure sensitive tape having a first downwardly directed pressure sensitive coating adhering to said second table, and an upwardly directed pressure sensitive coating for engaging and holding the template in fixed position.

10. A punching machine comprising in combination: a frame having a bed; a movable ram carried by said frame and adapted to be selectively moved toward and from said bed; an upper tool support secured in a fixed position to said frame and adapted to slidably support a separate upper tool in alignment with the ram; means on the bed adapted to support a separate lower tool for cooperation with the upper tool; a horizontally directed table encircling said tool support means on said bed and disposed to directly support a workpiece with the lower face of the workpiece normally in substantially coplanar relation with the upper face of the lower tool; said tool supporting means on said bed being operative to support its tool with the upper end of the tool substantially flush with the upper surface of said table; manually actuatable means carried by said bed and normally disposed in a position out of any supporting relation to said tool support means on said bed, for effecting a relative vertical movement between said lower tool support means and said table in such direction that the workpiece may thereby be spaced upwardly from said table; a solenoid-operated clutch for selectively coupling continuously reciprocating means to said ram; an electric circuit for controlling the solenoid; said circuit including a normally open actuating switch; a two-position selector switch connected thereto; a first circuit branch connected in series with said actuating switch only when said selector switch is in a first position for directly providing continuous power to the solenoid to efiect continuous ram reciprocation; and a second circuit branch connected in series with said actuating switch only when said selector switch is in a second position, and including relays actuated by other switches operated by the continuously reciprocating means, to provide power to the solenoid to eifect only a single stroke of the ram.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,934,303 11/ 1933 Greiner 269291 2,366,443 1/ 1945 Deans 269309 2,978,944 4/ 1961 Overly 269309 WILLIAM W. DYER, IR., Primary Examiner.

L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PUNCHING MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A FRAME HAVING A BED; A MOVABLE RAM CARRIED BY SAID FRAME AND ADAPTED TO BE SELECTIVELY MOVED TOWARD AND FROM SAID BED; AN UPPER TOOL SUPPORT SECURED IN A FIXED STATIONARY POSITION TO SAID FRAME AND ADAPTED TO SLIDABLY SUPPORT A SEPARATE UPPER TOOL BELOW AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RAM; MEANS ON THE BED ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A SEPARATE LOWER TOOL FOR COOPERATION WITH THE UPPER TOOL; A HORIZONTALLY DIRECTED TABLE ENCIRCLING SAID TOOL SUPPORT MEANS ON SAID BED AND DISPOSED TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT A WORKPIECE WITH THE LOWER FACE OF THE WORKPIECE NORMALLY IN SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR RELATION WITH THE UPPER FACE OF THE LOWER TOOL; SAID TOOL SUPPORTING MEANS ON SAID BED BEING OPERATIVE TO SUPPORT ITS TOOL WITH THE UPPER END OF THE TOOL SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID TABLE; AND MANUALLY ACTUATABLE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BED AND NORMALLY DISPOSED IN A POSITION OUT OF ANY SUPPORTING RELATION TO SAID TOOL SUPPORT MEANS ON SAID BED, FOR EFFECTING A RELATIVE VERTICAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID LOWER TOOL SUPPORT MEANS AND SAID TABLE IN SUCH DIRECTION THAT THE WORKPIECE MAY THEREBY THE SPACED UPWARDLY FROM SAID TABLE, SAID MANUALLY ACTUATABLE MEANS INCLUDING A HANDLE EXTENDING TO ONE ACCESSIBLE SIDE OF THE MACHINE BELOW THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID TABLE TO ENABLE ACTUATION THEREOF WITH THE WORKPIECE OVERLYING ANY PORTION OF SAID TABLE. 